Director – Yoshirio Kawasaki (Hell in a Bottle, Madame de Sade)
Starring – Reiko Nakamura (Mosquito on the Tenth Floor, Let Him Rest in Piece), Yuka Koizumi (Gold Finger), and Yuji Aoki (Ghost in a Shell – Standalone Complex, Shangri-La)
Release Date – 1983
Rating – 3/5
After watching a few classic horror films on blu from Warner Archives and then Color Out of Space I wanted something sleazy. It wasn’t too long ago that I reviewed a handful of Vinegar Syndrome releases so I decided to mix it up a little. This time I decided to go with some Impulse Pictures titles.
I have a couple I could pick from so I decided to toss in a few from the Nikkatsu Erotic Film Collection. These films were highly entertaining in the past so I couldn’t wait to check out these new films sent my way for review. The first film on the chopping block is the 1983 Zoom Up sequel, Graduation Photo. Thank you Impulse and CAV for sending this one over!
**Spoiler Alert**The film follows a young woman who is offered a job modeling. She is reluctant to do so at first but is drawn to the money. With each passing gig she finds herself becoming more and more sexually awakened and her outlook on life starts to change. **Spoiler Alert**
The Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection has yet to disappoint. What the movies lack in originality they more than make up for with sleazy goodness. I know there is several Zoom Up releases under this series but I had only seen one before now but it is safe to say that they have very little to do with each other. The use of camera incorporated in the story is the only connection between them. Regardless, Zoom Up: Graduation Photo was another sleazy good time.
The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a film centered around nudity. The cast doesn’t do a bad job. In fact, they deliver some pretty solid performances but most of the scenes does feel cheesy. The cast hams it up right before the sex takes place.
The story for this one works for the type of film it is. It doesn’t throw sex in your face like a typical porn. Instead, it builds up to it. It does flow more like a drama but the sexploitation is clear. Fans of exploitation will enjoy it more especially if porn isn’t your thing. We have good pacing and some fun, yet playful, dialogue.
Finally, I sincerely hope you wouldn’t toss in a film from this series expecting blood and gore because you will not find it. However, if Asian sleaze is your thing you will enjoy it. Overall, Zoom Up: Graduation Photo is a Asian sexploitation at it’s finest. The story isn’t overpowering and the sex portion is not overdone. The story is rather compelling which is weird to say in regards to a sexploitation flick. I highly recommend it.
